Stop Tax Breaks for Health Insurance Companies Selling High Deductible Health Plans in Georgia

We, the undersigned residents of the State of Georgia, respectfully submit the following Petition:

Whereas, there is presently before the Georgia Legislature HB 977, which creates tax breaks for health insurance companies selling high deductible health plans.

Whereas, high deductible health plans limit access to, and discourage the use of, preventive care, primary care, prescription drugs, and other valuable medical services.

Whereas, high deductible health plans generally require more out-of-pocket spending by the consumer.

Whereas, the bulk of tax savings under HB 977 flow directly to health insurance companies selling high deductible health plans ($146 million, or 67\%), while individual consumers would receive an estimated $6.7 million (3\%) of the tax savings.

Whereas, HB 977 creates tax incentives for employers to move away from offering employees comprehensive health coverage, creating further erosion in the employer-provided health insurance market which affords coverage to millions of Georgians.

Whereas, Georgia is home to more than 1.6 million uninsured individuals. Most uninsured people in Georgia are working, but their employers do not offer coverage and they cannot afford it on their own.

Whereas, HB 977 is of great benefit to insurance companies, but will do little to benefit working Georgians or to decrease the number of uninsured in Georgia.

Whereas, the individual and employer tax incentives in HB977 would not provide adequate financial assistance to the vast majority of uninsured Georgians who have low incomes and need more significant subsidies to afford coverage.

Whereas, directing $40.6 million to the PeachCare program for Georgia children could yield $126.6 million in federal funds and could cover nearly 100,000 uninsured children.

Whereas, a $40 million investment in PeachCare is a much more efficient use of healthcare dollars, allowing Georgia to cover tens of thousands of uninsured Georgia children.

Whereas, it is in the interest of all Georgia residents to defeat unwarranted tax giveaways to health insurance companies, particularly in tight budgetary times.

We, the Undersigned, urge our elected representatives to defeat HB 977, so as to restore the faith of individual Georgians that the Legislature will put the interests of its citizens before the financial gains of insurance companies.